plural snorkels
1
: a plastic tube that allows a swimmer to breathe while keeping the head or face under the surface of the water
He swam about 250 yards on the surface, using a snorkel to breathe, to get past the barren sandy bottom.—
Brian Clark
Brian ClarkNo complicated equipment—just a mask, snorkel, and fins, and you're set to explore a shimmering world of exotic fish and Technicolor coral.—Richard Alleman
Richard Alleman2
: a tube housing air intake and exhaust pipes for a vehicle's engine that can be extended above the water's surface so that the engine can be operated while the vehicle is partially or fully submerged
Water entered the snorkel of an Argentine submarine and caused one of its batteries to short circuit before the vessel went missing this month, a navy spokesman said Monday.—Chicago Tribune
Chicago TribuneMost need to be specially modified … with extra ground clearance to get over big rocks, an exhaust snorkel for river crossings, industrial-strength suspension, and an engine with enough torque to power through mud and sand.—Jerry Guo
Jerry Guo
Example Sentences
Verb
We snorkeled in the Caribbean on our vacation last year.
Recent Examples on the WebKlara Glowczewska, Town & Country, 11 Apr. 2023
The Lego Defender wears spare tires on the hood and rear door, while a snorkel sprouts from the hood to help the Land Rover wade through rivers.
—Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 20 Mar. 2023
Three meals a day are included, plus guests can use snorkel gear, paddleboards, kayaks, beach chairs, and more.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2023
On the southern coast, Hamanasi Resort offers snorkel and dive trips out to the coral gardens.
—Michele Bigley, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Jan. 2023
These gifts include gift cards or destination-specific experiences such as a snorkel tour in Hawaii or a private gondola ride in Venice.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2023
To support their son, the Casertas bought him a SEAL mask, goggles, fins, snorkel, swimsuit and weightlifting equipment.
—Christina Fuoco-karasinski, Peoplemag, 2 May 2023
Along the way, excursions include safaris, hikes, dives and snorkels, visits to archaeological sites, and cultural immersions, as well as multi-day excursions to inland destinations, including Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2023
For the full up-close experience, however, book a manta ray boat tour for an evening snorkel or scuba adventure.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023
Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 30 May 2023
The 22-year-old Connecticut female, who has not been identified, was snorkeling with friends off the coast of Providenciales island when the shark attacked, according to police.
—Jon Brown, Fox News, 28 May 2023
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said the 22-year-old woman was attacked around 3 p.m. local time Wednesday while snorkeling with a friend near the Blue Haven Resort around Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, according to a news release.
—David Matthews New York Daily News (tns), al, 26 May 2023
The 22-year-old Connecticut woman was snorkeling with a friend in the waters off Providenciales island at around 3 p.m. local time when a shark attacked, according to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Department.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 25 May 2023
Police said the woman and her friend were snorkeling Wednesday just after 3 p.m. outside a resort near the Leeward Marina in Providenciales, one of the islands, when she was attacked.
—Tj Swigart, NBC News, 25 May 2023
Last year, Hawaii had five attacks, one of which was fatal after a woman went missing in December while snorkeling with her husband off Keawakapu Beach in Maui, the Associated Press reported.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2023
The tropical haven is ideal for travelers looking to snorkel or swim along white-sand beaches and mangrove forests.
—Adrienne Jordan, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2023
Sydney is also home to a number of national parks and opportunities to enjoy water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving.
—Nina Derwin, Redbook, 16 May 2023
See More
Noun
Swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, explore—or just exhale.
—Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, 11 Apr. 2023
The Lego Defender wears spare tires on the hood and rear door, while a snorkel sprouts from the hood to help the Land Rover wade through rivers.
—Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 20 Mar. 2023
Three meals a day are included, plus guests can use snorkel gear, paddleboards, kayaks, beach chairs, and more.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2023
On the southern coast, Hamanasi Resort offers snorkel and dive trips out to the coral gardens.
—Michele Bigley, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Jan. 2023
These gifts include gift cards or destination-specific experiences such as a snorkel tour in Hawaii or a private gondola ride in Venice.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2023
To support their son, the Casertas bought him a SEAL mask, goggles, fins, snorkel, swimsuit and weightlifting equipment.
—Christina Fuoco-karasinski, Peoplemag, 2 May 2023
Along the way, excursions include safaris, hikes, dives and snorkels, visits to archaeological sites, and cultural immersions, as well as multi-day excursions to inland destinations, including Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2023
For the full up-close experience, however, book a manta ray boat tour for an evening snorkel or scuba adventure.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023
Verb
The terrifying incident happened while Marcus McGowan, 51, was snorkeling at a remote vacation resort in northern Queensland.
—Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 30 May 2023
The 22-year-old Connecticut female, who has not been identified, was snorkeling with friends off the coast of Providenciales island when the shark attacked, according to police.
—Jon Brown, Fox News, 28 May 2023
The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said the 22-year-old woman was attacked around 3 p.m. local time Wednesday while snorkeling with a friend near the Blue Haven Resort around Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, according to a news release.
—David Matthews New York Daily News (tns), al, 26 May 2023
The 22-year-old Connecticut woman was snorkeling with a friend in the waters off Providenciales island at around 3 p.m. local time when a shark attacked, according to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Department.
—Morgan Winsor, ABC News, 25 May 2023
Police said the woman and her friend were snorkeling Wednesday just after 3 p.m. outside a resort near the Leeward Marina in Providenciales, one of the islands, when she was attacked.
—Tj Swigart, NBC News, 25 May 2023
Last year, Hawaii had five attacks, one of which was fatal after a woman went missing in December while snorkeling with her husband off Keawakapu Beach in Maui, the Associated Press reported.
—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2023
The tropical haven is ideal for travelers looking to snorkel or swim along white-sand beaches and mangrove forests.
—Adrienne Jordan, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2023
Sydney is also home to a number of national parks and opportunities to enjoy water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving.
—Nina Derwin, Redbook, 16 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'snorkel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near snorkel
Cite this Entry
“Snorkel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snorkel. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
snorkel
1 of 2 noun
snor·kel
ˈsnȯr-kəl 
1
: a tube or tubes that can be extended above the surface of the water to supply air to and remove exhaust from a submerged submarine
2
: a tube used by swimmers for breathing with the head under water
More from Merriam-Webster on snorkel
Nglish: Translation of snorkel for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of snorkel for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about snorkel
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
Palter, Dissemble, and Other Words for Lying
Trust us
-
Skunk, Bayou, and Other Words with Native American Origins
You've used more than you might think
-
Words For Things You Didn't Know Have Names, Vol. 2
When 'thingamajig' and 'thingamabob' just won't do
-
When Were Words First Used?
Look up any year to find out
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share